Pump plunger



Nov. 14, 1939. s N M' N 2.180240.

7 PUMP PLUNGER Filed Au 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q By M =2, fim

In venfor A itomeys Nbv. 14, 1939. E. s. HUNTSMAN PUMP PLUNGER FiledAug. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wk y 0% f n venior M J w A tiorneysPatented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED s'rarss Arr 05H 5.

PUMP PLUNGER Edwin S. Huntsmam. Fillmore, Calif;

Application August. 16, 1938, Serial No. 225,221

. 3 Claims. (01. soc-23y My invention relates to improvements in pumpplungers for use more particularly in oil wells, although, as willpresently appear, it may be used in other wells if desired.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a plunger adapted toincrease production by virtue of the fact that it is positively. sealedand equipped to work in oil sothat it is properly lubricated.

Other and subordinate objects are also comprehended by my invention, allofwhich, together with the precise nature of my'improvement, will bereadily understood when the succeeding description and claims are readwith reference to the drawings accompanying and forming part of thisspecification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a pump plunger constructed inaccordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on the line 22of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and drawnto an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a similar view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1 drawn to anenlarged scale and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,parts being broken away.

Figure 4 is still another similar view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and drawn to anenlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a view in transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of one of the flax packing rings.

Figure '7 is a similar view of one of the rubber packing rings, and

Figure 8 is another similar view of one of the compression rings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the plunger of my inventioncomprises a standing tube l having at its upper end a metal cage bushing2 internally threaded, as at 3, for attachment to said tube and providedwith a central enlarged boss 4 and an externally threaded upper end 5for attachment of the plunger to the usual operating connection (notshown). The lower end of said tube I has threaded thereon a metalbushing 6 of the type having a reduced upper end I. Fitted on the lowerend of the upper bushing 2 is an upper pump cup 8, of resilientmaterial, having an internal lower end flange 9 fitting tightly aroundthetube I. Similarly fitting over the reduced upper end 1 of the bushing6 is a lower pump cup l similar to the upper pump cup 8 but inverted.

Intermediate the upper and lower pump cups 8 and Ill, the tube I isequipped with a plurality of combination lubricating and sealing units,the number of units being increased or diminished according to theworking conditions such as depth of wells, fluid gravity, and strokesper minute of the plunger. 7

In the present instance an upper and lower combination unit H and I2,respectively, only have been shown as illustrative of the principle andstructure involved. Each unit ll, l2 comprises a pair of upper and lowerspool-like metal sleeves l3 and i4 slidably fitted onto the tube l andspaced apart, ,in each unit, by a hydraulic packing ring l of suitablepacking material.

The enlarged end of the lower sleeve M of the upper pair and that of theupper sleeve l3 of the lower pair have countersunk therein split metalcompression rings l5 forming oil sealing members, as will presently moreclearly appear.

The upper sleeve E3 of the upper unit is spaced from the upper pump cup8 by the following devices: On top of the upper sleeve 13 of said unitis a hydraulic packing ring ll, similar to rings l5, and a metalfollower ring l8 both fitting around the tube l and thelast-mentioned'ring being surmounted by a series of similar packingrings IQ of flax above which, in the order named, is another follower2!], a hydraulic packing ring 2|, a metal follower 22, a rubber sealingring 23 and a cup follower ring 24.

The lower sleeve M of the lower unit i2 is similarly spaced from thelower pump cup ID by a hydraulic packing ring-25 immediately below saidsleeve, a metal follower ring 26 below ring 25, a series of flax packingrings 21 below ring 26, a metal follower ring 28 below said series, andhydraulic and rubber packing rings 29 and 30 alternating with metalfollower rings 3! between said follower ring 28 and said pump cup Ill. Acoiled spring 32 sleeved onto the tube 1 between the adjacent sleeves l4and ill of said units H and I2 with metal followers at each end thereofurges the component parts of the described units into compact relationas will be clear.

The described plunger is designed for use in the usual well tubing, (notshown) into which the various packing rings, sealing rings, andfollowers have a working fit. As will be clear the sleeves l3 and M ofthe described units, to-

gether with the inner wall of the well tubing provide cavities designedto receive lubricating oil introduced therein in any suitable manner,

as for instance, when the plunger is lowered into the tubing. By virtueof this arrangement,

the plunger is adequately lubricated, the various followers and packingrings likewise, and the oil accommodating cavities sealed at each endthereof by the metal compression rings 55 and the hydraulic packingrings I5. The flax packing rings l9 and 2! serve the purpose of holdingthe compression out of the oil accommodating cavities and together withthe other packing rings form a positive seal preventing the oil fromescaping. The metal compression rings work in oil and galling isprevented by positive lubrication to all working parts. The spring 32keeps all packings tight.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clearunderstanding of the invention without further explanation;

Manifestly the invention, as described, is susceptible of modificationwithout departing from the inventive concept and right is hereinreserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoinedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. A pump plunger for use in well tubing comprising a tube, a pair ofbushings threaded onto opposite ends of said tube, respectively, and aplurality of combination units on said tube intermediate said bushingseach including spoollike sleeves adapted to form together with the innerwall of the well tubing lubricant containing chambers, a pair of pumpcups surrounding said tube at the inner ends of said bushings,respectively, a series of sealing and packing rings intermediate each,pump cup and said units, and spring means dividing said units and saidseries of rings and urging the units and series upon opposite sidesthereof into compact relation.

2. A pump plunger for use in well tubing comprising a tube, a pair ofbushings threaded onto opposite ends of said tube, respectively, and aplurality of combination units on said tube intermediate said bushingseach including spoollike sleeves adapted to form together with the innerwall of the well tubing lubricant containing chambers, a pair of pumpcups surrounding said tube at the inner ends of said bushings,respectively, a series of sealing and packing rings intermediate eachpump cup and said units, and spring means dividing said units and saidseries of rings and urging the units and series upon opposite sidesthereof into compact relation, each sleeve being provided with resilientmetal compression rings in the ends thereof.

3. A pump plunger for use in well tubing comprising a tube, a pair ofbushings threaded onto opposite ends of said tube, respectively, and aplurality of combination units on said tube intermediate said bushingseach including spoollike sleeves adapted to form together with the innerwall of the well tubing lubricant containing chambers, a pair of pumpcups surrounding said tube at the inner ends of said bushings,respectively, a series of sealing and packing rings intermediate eachpump cup and said units, spring means dividing said units and saidseries of rings and urging the units and series upon opposite sidesthereof into compact relation, each sleeve being provided with resilientmetal compression rings in the ends thereof, and hydraulic packing ringson said tube intermediate said sleeves.

EDWIN S. HUNTSMAN.

